Where are your USB ports in your cabinet?

[Nephasth]

I've been searching for a USB hub that will mount into my cab's panelling. I've found there's not a whole lot of options if I want to keep a clean look. I want access to 4 USB ports on the outside of my cabinet without visible wires. I found the in desk hubs like Belkin makes ( http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=369283 ) but I don't want a hole in my cab around the hub. I finally stumbled across these couplers ( http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=8159 ) that I think will work great, just wish they were a 4 port hub. So what are you using?

[gryhnd]

Painted this black:



And installed lower left, above the CP:

[drventure]

I just bought some cheap extender cables, drilled/chiseled a hole to match the size of the plug, mounted it and epoxied it in place. Looks great, but is pretty inconspicuous.

[CapriRS302]

Ibought a standard 4 port usb hub, and just double sided taped it under my control panel.  You cannot see it, but it is easy to get to when I need it.

[leapinlew]

I open the coin door on the rare occasion I need in the machine. I don't want to make it too easy to hookup a mouse and keyboard, but if your wanting to hookup some controllers, I can see needing them.

[megrog2]

You could use something a multi function drive bay device for a computer and just figure out a way to mount it cleanly somewhere. www.Frozencpu.com has tons of different ones to choose from

[ahofle]

Two of these on the front of the control panel:

http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Data-Connectors-Adapters/USB-Adapters/Switchcraft-Corporation/EHUSBABBX.xhtml

They are simple to install since you only need to drill a hole.  No cutting/routing out square pieces.

[Dervacumen]

I bought something similar and didn't use it.  Instead I just hooked up a keyboard via usb and keep it inside the cabinet, accessible by opening the coin door and pulling it out.  I don't use any controllers that would require USB.

[gazz292]

i took the double front usb ports from the case the pooter came in,
then i took a spare happ push button, removed the button bit, and dremeled the usb ports square plastic surround till it was round, and sat inside the button housing,

then i just mounted the button/usb port on the side of the cab, of course for a 4 port jobbie you'd need 2 buttons,

[nick3092]

I just bought some cheap extender cables, drilled/chiseled a hole to match the size of the plug, mounted it and epoxied it in place. Looks great, but is pretty inconspicuous.

That is also what I did.  Along with my NES, SNES, N64 and GC ports.  I haven't gotten any further on my cab since I took this picture, but you get the idea.  I wanted nice clean flush mounted ports.  When I epoxy them in, I'll use some filler around the front of the ports before I paint it to give it a nice, seamless look.

[Nephasth]

Along with my NES, SNES, N64 and GC ports. 

Have you visited retrousb.com? I love using classic controllers, but I like the idea of a univeral port on my cabinet. I'll be converting my classic controllers to have usb connections.

[Blanka]

They are inside the cabinet. No idea why you would want to have access to them.

[nick3092]

Along with my NES, SNES, N64 and GC ports. 

Have you visited retrousb.com? I love using classic controllers, but I like the idea of a univeral port on my cabinet. I'll be converting my classic controllers to have usb connections.

Yeah.  And actually, I bought pairs of their NES/SNES/N64 adapters.  But I didn't want to hack up any of my controllers, and I didn't want to have to have extra converters laying around.  Plus this way the USB HID "controllers" are always present, so I have consistent joystick ID's when it comes to assigning controllers in the various emulators.  My main interface is a GPWiz 40 and I found windows likes to renumber the joysticks when you plug/unplug new ones in, screwing things up.

I went with Raphnet's interfaces.  He sells some premade adapters, but I just ordered the PCB kits and soldered everything up myself.  He has a 4 player (S)NES kit, so I was able to connect both my NES and SNES ports up with one USB cable, and the N64/GC kit supports one of each controller, so I only needed 2 kits for those 4 controllers.  He also has an Intellivision conversion kit that I would like to do once I get my hands on a spare and/or broken Intv.  That one will have to have to remain USB.

[nick3092]

They are inside the cabinet. No idea why you would want to have access to them.

For me personally, I plan to use them for plugging in additional controllers, plugging in a USB thumb drive/USB HDD to install additional software, etc... without having to open up the access door to the PC and plug things in there.

[Blanka]

I use remote access and an occasional Bluetooth keyboard for that. Way more convenience than attaching al kind of stuff to your cabinet.

[ArcadeNerd]

I use the same thing as ahofle except the Neutrik brand (seems cheaper).  Super easy to use.  Just drill a hole and screw it in.... bam you're done.  They look pretty slick too.

http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Data-Connectors-Adapters/USB-Adapters/Neutrik-USA-Inc/NAUSB.xhtml

[Todd H]

I mounted one of these below my control panel out of sight.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2

[nick3092]

I mounted one of these below my control panel out of sight.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030701&p_id=226&seq=1&format=2

I used that exact same hub inside my CP (since it's modular) to plug in the trackball, analog flight stick, and to get +5 for my p360's.  On a few occasions it got a little goofy, and didn't recognize anything is plugged into it.  i found an easy fix is to pull the cable out of the back that goes to the PC, but for the most part it works fine.

[jipp]

Hi. i have a question.  i too plan on having usb ports at hand.  i plan on mounting them too the wood panel that will be above and below the bezel/plexi. they are for the for the USB NES controllers, and thumb drives.  I bought a 4 way hub for 2.00 to use for the NES controlers.  so i have zero problems hacking it up to put in my wood panel.  so here is what im wondering.  i will have have 1 cable for each: trackball, ipac2, spinner, keyboard, mouse,and aimtrack guns.  so when do we need to have power added to the USB.  I ordered a 10 port usb hub that has its own power supply.  could i got away with just another cheap 4 way hub if I need more ports? 

i think i have enough ports on my computer i wont need the 10 port hub on my current project.. i  bought the hub with its own power supply for my next project which will have LED stuff and figure id need power for it.. and if i do need more ports i can use it in my current project.. 

thank you.

[severdhed]

i generally dont need to have usb ports on the outside.  on my showcase cabinet, i do have two usb ports however so that i can plug in my guncon 2 guns into my playstation 2 that is inside the cabinet along with my pc.  i cut a piece of plexiglass and drilled/cut a few holes in it and mounted it to the inside of the coin door, so that the ports are accessable through the coin return openings. i need to paint this plexi so you can't see through it, but i was in a hurry the night i made it...

these are connected to some usb extension cables that run back to my playstation 2.  i can also plug them into the PC if i wanted to use my guns with mame (pain in the butt to get working reliably)  this way they are easy to access, but don't stick out like a sore thumb. (there are also two video ports for the guncons, and on the other side is a 1/4 jack to connect my reload pedal)